Tesla’s NACS to CCS1 Adapter Performs Well, But Has a Single Flaw

Tesla‘s NACS To CCS1 Adapter Works Great, But Has One Flaw

In November 2022, Tesla announced their decision to open their charging protocol to all automakers, aiming to establish the North American Charging Standard (NACS) as the primary fast charging solution for Electric vehicles in North America. Despite initial disinterest from automakers and consumers, the CCS alliance began to show signs of strain. Ford notably departed the CCS alliance in early 2023, siding with Team NACS, leading to a domino effect that saw most major automakers adopt the NACS standard by the end of the year.

Recently, testing by InsideEV’s Tom Moloughney compared NACS to CCS1 adapters from Tesla, Lectron, and A2Z. While all performed well, the Lectron adapter stood out for its user-friendly design. However, only the Tesla adapter is currently approved for use at Tesla’s Supercharging stations.

As Tesla gradually approves new brands for use with its Supercharging network, future automakers like GM, Ford, and Hyundai will include NACS ports as standard. For existing owners, accessing the Supercharging network will require a CCS to NACS adapter.

The official Tesla-made adapter, priced at $230 and supporting a maximum of 1,000v and 500 amps, is currently not UL 2252 certified. Despite this, it is designed to comply with the upcoming UL 2252 specifications. Testing conducted by Tom Moloughney revealed that all three adapters, including the official NACS to CCS adapter, had a maximum pull of 161 kW, providing 90 kWh in a 45-minute charge session.

While the NACS to CCS adapters are being distributed to Ford and Rivian customers, availability for other EV drivers is expected to take some time. However, once certified, these adapters are likely to be approved for use on the Supercharging network. If using non-approved adapters, users should be cautious as they may be held liable for any damage caused. Share your experiences with the Supercharging network in the comments below.